The Benue State government has closed a private hospital and mortuary in Okpokwu Local Government Area following the death of a 54-year-old woman who tested positive for Lassa fever.
Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, announced the closure in Makurdi on Thursday, describing it as part of emergency containment measures to prevent further infections and to allow for full decontamination of the affected facilities.
Ogwuche said all hospital staff and individuals who had direct or indirect contact with the deceased have been identified and placed under medical surveillance.
According to him, the deceased, a resident of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, died last Sunday at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where laboratory analysis confirmed her Lassa fever status. Her remains were later taken to a private morgue in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area.
The commissioner explained that the containment team faced resistance from some agitated youths who forcefully took the corpse during burial preparations.
“As part of the initial response, I personally led a high-powered delegation of health officials and security personnel to both local governments to ensure public safety, containment, and restoration of order,” he said.
Ogwuche added that after consultations with the family, traditional rulers, and youth leaders, the corpse was retrieved and safely buried in Orokam, Ogbadibo LGA, under strict supervision by the State Safe Burial Team in line with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols.
He noted that the affected hospital and mortuary have been sealed pending disinfection and further investigation. Health education campaigns have also been launched across Ogbadibo and Okpokwu LGAs to raise awareness and prevent panic.
The commissioner commended the cooperation of local authorities and security agencies, warning against actions that could endanger public health. He also urged residents to avoid handling corpses of individuals who die from suspected infectious diseases and to promptly report cases of prolonged fever or unexplained bleeding to health facilities.
Lassa fever remains a persistent health challenge in Benue State. In September, State Epidemiologist Dr. Asema Msuega reported 243 suspected cases since January 2025, with 13 deaths recorded, including that of a health worker. Of these, 18 cases were confirmed through laboratory testing.
